Misdemeanor charges filed in alleged hazing by Jordan High wrestlers

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Allegations of hazing within the Jordan High wrestling program have led to misdemeanor charges.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said a months-long investigation by police and prosecutors led to charges being filed Tuesday in 3rd District Juvenile Court. Gill, however, would not discuss the nature of the charges  including what level of misdemeanor or how many individuals were charged  because of privacy laws for juvenile cases.

In February, the Canyons School District began investigating the Jordan wrestling team after receiving a complaint from a parent and soon confirmed "some incidents of hazing" had occurred.

The case was turned over to the Sandy Police Department before eventually being handed to the D.A.'s office earlier this year.

Salt Lake attorney Jerome Mooney, who represented at least one family involved early in the investigation, said he had not been informed of any charges being filed involving his clients. Still, he said he believed any filings in the case would have been "unfortunate."

"It sounded to me like it was just youthful hijinks," he said.

There have been no changes in the Jordan wrestling coaching staff as a result of any findings. But Toomer-Cook said there will now be additional anti-hazing education for coaches and students at the school.

"The principal since that time has instructed the faculty to be more vigilant and to talk about hazing, encouraging them to report any type of that behavior," she said.

Athletes will be required to sign anti-hazing agreements before being allowed to participate, and the school will hold preseason meetings to discuss hazing, Toomer-Cook said.